C'mon Get Happy: First Day of Work--Boss Surprises Young Man

Jul 19, 2018

20-year-old Birmingham, Alabama, college student Walter Carr was about to start a new job as a mover when his 2003 Nissan Altima broke down. He called all his friends trying to get a ride, but to no avail. Because he didn’t want to miss his first day on the job, Walter decided to start walking to work -- a 20-mile trip -- at around midnight. Four hours later, police officers spotted Walter and learned that he was walking to work. The officers picked up Walter, fed him some breakfast -- and then dropped him off at his new job, where he got right to work. He and two other movers from the company moved a family across town. At the end of the move, after having walked all night to get to work, Walter played basketball with the homeowner's three teenage sons. Another co-worker gave him a ride home from work.

The homeowner was so touched by his dedication and work ethic, she started a GoFundMe page, ostensibly to pay for repairs to Walter's car. Her goal was $2000. She ended up raising $37,000--and a local financial adviser offered to manage Walter's money at no cost.

The CEO of the company, Luke Marklin, was so impressed with Walter’s dedication that he gave Walter a newer, more reliable car -- HIS OWN 2014 Ford Escape. The boss said he thought his car was in much better hands, and gave it to Walter.